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Western Culture and Perfect Weather
Second Home Living In Prescott, Ariz. An authentic old-west town with a mild, four-season climate in the state of Arizona? Yes, there is such a place beyond the sand and cactus of the desert. Nestled in the nation's largest contiguous forest of Ponderosa pine 100 miles
northwest of Phoenix is Prescott (pronounced "Preskit"), a beautiful mountain city set in a bowl a mile above sea level. Originally a gold mining settlement, Prescott, Arizona's first territorial capital, boasts a historic downtown marked by an impressive courthouse, the state's oldest saloon, and restored Victorian-era homes set along quiet, shaded streets. Prescott, by the way, has the richest lode of late 19th-century New England-style architecture in the Southwest, with over 500 buildings listed on the National Historic Register. On the other hand, the city is home to the world's oldest continuously running rodeo. Creature comforts? Dining, shopping, and entertainment are plentiful along historic Whiskey Row, while gambling is available at two casinos outside the city.
Prescott's temperate climate is ideal for golf -- average summer temperature is 85 degrees, average winter temperature is 50 degrees. Spring and fall are crisp and clear. More than 450 miles of national forest trails attract hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. In addition, area lakes are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Prescott is convenient to Jerome, a historic mining town and antiques center; Sedona, famous for its red rock formations and art galleries; and, two hours north, the Grand Canyon. For more information, contact the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, 117 W. Goodwin St., Prescott, Arizona 86303; (800) 266-7534. A review of three area communities follows. HASSAYAMPA Real Estate. Gated community is situated near town on site of former Hassayampa Country Club. More than half of community's 547 acres will be left untouched. Homesites are nestled in pines, along golf course, or on hillside slopes. Most have mountain views. Nearly 70 percent of community's lots have been sold to date. Forest Ridge, an offering of 100 estate homesites made available in 1999, range in price from $185,000 (three-fourths-acre) to more than $500,000 (21/2 acres). Lot cost includes golf membership. Three different styles of condominium and town home product, ranging from $180,000 to $452,000, are also available, as are finished custom homes.
Club's rustic 29,000-square-foot clubhouse, set on a knoll between first tee and 18th green, was designed to resemble a well-preserved mountain lodge from 1920s. Men's and ladies' locker rooms have steam and sauna amenities. Dining and lounge facilities are arranged around central garden court. Grill Room terrace overlooks downtown Prescott and San Francisco Peaks. Hassayampa, 450 Hassayampa Village Lane, Prescott, Arizona 86303; 800-835-4966; www.desert-troon.com/hassayampa. Prescott Lakes Real Estate. Sprawling 1,100-acre development three miles north of Prescott's Town Square is a multi-use community with a wide range of real estate offerings, as well as assisted living quarters, retail space, office parks, and resort-style amenities. Seven petroglyph sites discovered during development have been donated to city as pocket parks and are open to public. Custom home sites in gated and open residential neighborhoods start at $150,000. Finished custom homes, patio homes, and condos (from low $100s) also available. Single family homes in single builder neighborhoods are listed in high $200s. Community design guidelines encourage use of natural materials such as brick, stone, and wood. More than $33 million in custom home sites have been sold since 1999. Scheduled for opening in fall is 12,500-square-foot athletic club and fitness facility.
Golf. Semi-private Hale Irwin-designed course, opened last summer and routed around lakes, streams, and Granite Dells (giant rock formations) unique to region, is a 7,216-yard, par-72 layout with six sets of staggered tees. Nearly every hole plays downhill. Washes and riverbeds define shape of holes, with natural grasses and wildflowers in transition areas. Bentgrass greens have pronounced undulations. Petroglyph images (from antelope to turtle) are carved into each tee marker. Signature hole is par-five 18th, called Snake, which is guarded to right by lake and thundering watercourse. Clubhouse has a pro shop, fitness center, restaurant, and Olympic-size swimming pool. Homeowners need not purchase a golf membership to play course. Prescott Lakes, 1880 North Hwy. 89, Prescott, Arizona 86301; 877-717-2300; www.PrescottLakes.com. Talking Rock Ranch Real Estate. Development, a 3,500-acre parcel located 12 miles north of Prescott, is scheduled to open later this year. Ranch is creased by Inscription Canyon, so named for the 1,200 petroglyphs on its walls. (Site will be deeded to a conservancy within community with limited public-access). Private golf community will consist of up to 1,500 residential lots surrounding an 18- to 27- hole course and rambling, multi-use clubhouse. Phase I lot prices will range from $150,000 to $1 million. Ranch will have a rural character with vast open spaces. Architectural vernacular used to describe design of community is "traditional Arizona ranch homestead." Single-story structures will have reduced square-footage, primarily low rooflines, muted colors, rusted metal roofing materials, and porches. Everything from road width to signage will be rural in scale. Homesites will be kept off fairways. Golf. Environmentally-sensitive design by Jay Morrish and Associates will break ground next month and will open in March, 2002. Talking Rock will concentrate on low pesticide use, low water use, and creation of wildlife pathways so that indigenous wildlife can continue to circulate with little interference by man. Traditional scale of modern golf clubhouse has been dramatically reduced and broken down into core components (pro shop, general store/restaurant, etc.) to be phased in over time, as ranch houses were in the 19th century. Full golf membership deposits start at $25,000. Talking Rock Ranch, 113 W. Goodwin St., Prescott, Arizona 86302; 877-922-4440.
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